really borderline scores on DAT..help

[denty]

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I cant believe im writing this..
so i took the DAT today really thinking i would do well but...
17 AA
16 Bio
16 gen chem
18 o chem
15 pat
16 qr
19 reading

i took about a month to study, im not a bio major (language and lit), and have unfortunately a 3.0 ovearll. i just graduated in may. im extremely upset and confused at the same time. i was doing really well in pat and have never gotten a score so low. same with bio, but i guess i didnt have enough resources, or at least for my level/background. i noticed that kaplan expected you to have a lot of background. im most def going to be taking it over again when i can (dec!) so im debating if i should apply for this cycle still. i guess its worth it even if i get rejected...but i do want to do this...im taking extra classes this semester in sciences to refresh and improve the gpa. schools im applying to are indiana, nova, arizona, nyu, marquette, meharry, and a few more.
i would appreciate some real criticism, i know ya'll probably sick of this but i really have no one connected to dentistry except my old dentist, and all the schools i will be calling tommorow with my results.
thanks so much

 

[pbure]

you should look at these scores as a sign of encouragement and not failure! for a history/lit guy this is not bad for a first crack. decent academic average..and i'm sure with some kaplan books and the topscore cd's you can easily bring pat up to a 17-18..easily..and bio and chem up to 18's at least..and then you're good to go. definitely try for A's in the science courses you're taking now. that would be huge. with slightly better dat scores and maybe a nice 3.2 you'd be a strong candidate. work on getting some shadowing experience tho and a few extracurriculars (if you don't already have any).
good luck!

 

[hockeydentist]

Take it again in December, do well, and off you go to dental school. Key is to do well in December on the DAT. consider taking kaplan, or getting the materials from someone who took Kaplan.

Use barrons- for PAT
Acethedat.com-for pat
Kaplan class-for pat

Shaums outlines biology
Shaums outline chemistry
Exam krackers-biology
Exam karckers 1001-for chem

kaplan blue book-biology
Kaplan blue-book- organic chem
Kaplan flash cards-organic chem

Schools, that would consider you as of right now, would be Marquette, meharry, and NYU.

If you get your scores up, then I am thinkin you will have a shot at all the schools you applied too.

HD

 

[Rezdawg]

Bro, you're chillin, just take it again and put more time into it this go around. Take a look at hockeydentist's list of materials and that should easily raise your scores across the board.

 

[vasco]

I've got a friend who was in the same boat as you. He had a 17 and a 3.1. He applied last cycle to 10 schools and got interviews from temple and colorado. He didn't get in anywhere.

So he just barely retook the DAT last week and got a 22. So keep your head up and get ready to rock the DAT when you take it again.

If you apply this cycle make sure you apply soon and to the right schools.

Good luck to you

 

[drusier]

did u find the dat to parallel topscore, barrons or kaplan? was the RC more orriented to "what did the author think...." or find and seek? Any other comments are welcome...I take mine monday

 

[denty]

thanks so much everyone...i will most defenitely be getting extra books, thanks for the great list Hockey dentist! i just called marquette and the secretary told me they were somewhat decent-except for the stupid PAT!! im really mad about that, i seriously was getting 20's on kaplan quizzes and barrons. anyway, im taking the science classes and really determined to do well.
as for the exam, its hard to say whats on there. looking at the kaplan book i would say know everything, and even then you might need more. there was a bunch that i didnt see in kaplan. also in my case the questions werent as straight forward. what i mean is that it wasn't: "what is the function of this" this showed me that i didnt know my material that well. because if i did then i should be able to answer anything they gave, right?
reading i actually had time to spare at the end, some of it was weird, but i thought i did way better than a 19.
well today was first day of classes, and now i have to somehow figure out a schedule to study. i saw some people post 200 + hours of studying, what was the method though? did you do one subject a day or a week? im trying to figure out how i can improve things
once again thanks for the help!

 

[Lilith]

Start with your weakest subjects and then move on to the ones you know better. Set a study schedule and stick with it. Good Luck!!!!

 

[ASUgrad]

Hey Denty, let me tell you about me. Anthropology and Language major, first and 2nd DAT scores taken in May and Sept were:

DAT1 DAT2 YOUR DAT
AA: 17 AA: 18 AA: 17
PAT: 16 PAT:17 PAT:15
QR:13 QR: 15 QR:16
RC:21 RC: 21 RC:19
BIO:18 BIO:18 BIO:16
Gchem: 16 Gchem:18 chem:16
Ochem:17 Ochem: 18 ochem:18
TS: 18 TS: 18 ts:?

Okay your scores are comprable to my scores on the 1st DAT. I decided to retake the DAT because the AA was lower than the average for most schools. According to the Admin Req for Dental Schools 18 was average for most schools. Now I have already had an interviw with Indiana and have a few more to schedule, However I have a ton of working experience and volunteer experience, so that has helped. Don't fret too much about your 1st scores, they are fine. I would go over what hockey dentist prescribed and definitely apply for this year. Take subject by subject, identify strengths, and then weaknesses. As you come close to your date, go over your weaknesses because those will help you raise your score. Godd luck and you'll do fine.

BillE

 

[denty]

Thanks Bill E for the help, its been awhile since i've been to the site, i got a major science load this semester..its been awhile!
Well I am going to be applying this year, I figure what the hell. The only problem I have is that if I do apply and need to take over my DAT I wont b able to until early december..AFTER acceptance/rejection letters go out. So even though they say you can just send in the new scores to evaluate, Im wondering if its worth doing. I aslo would rather take the exam in January so I have some weeks just for DAT stuyding.

Hey Denty, let me tell you about me. Anthropology and Language major, first and 2nd DAT scores taken in May and Sept were:

DAT1 DAT2 YOUR DAT
AA: 17 AA: 18 AA: 17
PAT: 16 PAT:17 PAT:15
QR:13 QR: 15 QR:16
RC:21 RC: 21 RC:19
BIO:18 BIO:18 BIO:16
Gchem: 16 Gchem:18 chem:16
Ochem:17 Ochem: 18 ochem:18
TS: 18 TS: 18 ts:?

Okay your scores are comprable to my scores on the 1st DAT. I decided to retake the DAT because the AA was lower than the average for most schools. According to the Admin Req for Dental Schools 18 was average for most schools. Now I have already had an interviw with Indiana and have a few more to schedule, However I have a ton of working experience and volunteer experience, so that has helped. Don't fret too much about your 1st scores, they are fine. I would go over what hockey dentist prescribed and definitely apply for this year. Take subject by subject, identify strengths, and then weaknesses. As you come close to your date, go over your weaknesses because those will help you raise your score. Godd luck and you'll do fine.

BillE